Toxic air choking young lungs

NEW DELHI: The hazardous levels of air pollution in Delhi are leading to healthy children developing asthma-like symptoms and the prolonging of upper respiratory tract infections that need to be treated with inhalers, according to doctors in the Capital.

At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), there has been a 20% increase in the number of patients visiting out-patient clinics as well as the emergency, with exacerbations of existing conditions such as asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in the past week.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) on Tuesday was 403, in the severe category. The hazardous air quality has been persisting in Delhi since Diwali, prompting the government to close schools till November 20 and order government employees to work from home till Wednesday. Construction activities are also banned till November 17.

“There has been an increase of around 20% in the number of patients visiting our OPD and the emergency department with exacerbations of existing diseases. In otherwise healthy people, the high levels of pollution are prolonging symptoms of normal viral infections or the common cold,” said Dr Karan Madan, associate professor, department of pulmonary medicine, AIIMS.

He further said, “In many healthy people who get a viral infection or cold, a cough that would otherwise get better in two or three days is lasting for over 10 days to two weeks now. It is almost like an asthmatic episode and to get better, many end up having to use steroid inhalers like asthma patients.”

The impact is being seen across all age groups, doctors said. Dr Puneet Khanna, head of the department, respiratory medicine, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, said he has seen several cases of seasonal asthma-like symptoms in children. “In addition to headache, congested nose, loss of concentration, and irritability, we see seasonal intermittent wheezing and asthmalike symptoms in children every year when the pollution levels spike. They are fine the rest of the year. And many of them go on to develop asthma as well,” said Dr Khanna.

According to the World Health Organization, the lungs of a child, who is living in a region where air pollution is quite severe, may not function properly by the time (s)he attains adulthood. Due to weak lungs, such children, are likely to develop asthma in their later years.

The only way to protect oneself from the bad air effects is to stay indoors, said Dr Neeraj Gupta, professor, department of pulmonology, Safdarjung hospital. “When outside, wear a mask. The normal surgical masks do not really protect against pollution, N-95 masks are needed,” he said.

Choose a mask that uses N-95 or N-99 filter that can keep out 99% of the smaller particulate matter

Do not use a surgical mask as it offers no protection against pollution

If possible, purchase a re-usable and washable mask to reduce waste

Buy a mask that fits well over the chin and isn’t lose

Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose

While in use, avoid touching the mask

Do not re-use disposable masks; change after the mask is wet or has been used for six hours